21 August 2013 News Clippings

7/27/2019 21 August 2013 News Clippings

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21 August 2013

[email protected]

Serving the people, securing the land

Wednesday

21 August 2013

Wednesday


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TABLE OF CONTENTS21 August 2013

PageNr

Title/summary/writer Newspaper1 Weather Forecast Pagasa.dost.gov.ph

ONLINE NEWSArmy Related Issues

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Army troops seize roadside bomb in Maguindanao townMaguindanao -Army explosives experts prevented on Monday

what could have been another deadly bombing in Central Mindanao bypromptly defusing a roadside bomb along a stretch of a highway in SultanKudarat town.

Phil Star (20 Aug 13)

3

Capitol Lauds Armys Peace AdvocacyThe Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental in its

Wednesday session, resolved to commend the Armys AdvancedCommand Post, 303rd Infantry Brigade, for adopting a peace advocacy asa paradigm shift on political orientation favoring compromise to avoidconflict.

Negros Daily

Bulletin/Editha Colmo

4

Army reduces NPA strengthThe Armys 302nd Infantry Brigade is running against time to

accomplish its mission to clear Negros Oriental of remaining armed

insurgents by yearend.

Visayan Daily Star/ByGilbert Bayoran

AFP Related Issues

5-7

Benigno Aquino assassination: Emotion doesnt wane witheach retelling

It was 1983, past midnight in Boston. He sat before the television,watching CNN. I cant even remember the face of the announcer whomispronounced my fathers name. He said, opposition leader BenignoAkwino was seen lying in a pool of blood, shots were fired. If I dont recallexactly how it was (said) then, it wasnt because nag -blur. Para talaganghuminto everything (It was as if everything stopped)I was neither in timenor space. I guess that was shock

By Thelma SiosonSan Juan/Philippine DailyInquirer

8-9

US defense secretary to visit PhilippinesWASHINGTON US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday

said that next week he will visit the Philippines, which is involved in amaritime dispute with China, during the course of a four-nation trip to

Southeast Asia.

By Jose Katigbak /The Philippine Star

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MNLF insists on 1996 pact, bucks OIC mediationThe MNLF on Monday vowed not to yield to pressure from the

government and rejected a third-party negotiator to step in and resolve theconfusion over the 1996 final peace agreement.

From the ManilaStandard Today (Aug20)

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Government has not abandoned agreement with MNLF OPAPP

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process(OPAPP) says it remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to the 1996Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the Moro National Liberation Front

(MNLF).

From the ManilaBulletin (Aug 20)

12-13Sedition raps readied vs Misuari, says ARMM police chief

Police are readying sedition charges against founding chairman NurMisuari of the Moro National Liberation Front for declaring Bangsamoro

independence in Mindanao days ago.

From the PhilippineDaily Inquirer (Aug20)
http://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/army-troops-seize-roadside-bomb-in.htmlhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/byline/thelma-sioson-san-juanhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/byline/thelma-sioson-san-juanhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/source/philippine-daily-inquirerhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/source/philippine-daily-inquirerhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/mnlf-insists-on-1996-pact-bucks-oic.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/mnlf-insists-on-1996-pact-bucks-oic.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/mnlf-insists-on-1996-pact-bucks-oic.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/government-has-not-abandoned-agreement.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/government-has-not-abandoned-agreement.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/government-has-not-abandoned-agreement.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/government-has-not-abandoned-agreement.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/sedition-raps-readied-vs-misuari-says.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/sedition-raps-readied-vs-misuari-says.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/government-has-not-abandoned-agreement.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/government-has-not-abandoned-agreement.htmlhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/mnlf-insists-on-1996-pact-bucks-oic.htmlhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/source/philippine-daily-inquirerhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/source/philippine-daily-inquirerhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/byline/thelma-sioson-san-juanhttp://newsinfo.inquirer.net/byline/thelma-sioson-san-juanhttp://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/2013/08/army-troops-seize-roadside-bomb-in.html


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Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 21 August 2013

Valid

Beginning:

5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

Predicted Mean Sea Level

Pressure

Analysis for 8 a.m., 21 August2013

Predicted Mean Sea Level

Wind

Analysis for 8 a.m., 21 August2013

Satellite Image

for 4:32 a.m., 21 August 2013

Synopsis:

At 4:00 am today, Tropical Storm "MARING" (TRAMI) was estimated based on all available data at 500 km

northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (24.2N,125.9E) with maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center

and gustiness of up to 135 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 15 kph. Southwest monsoon

affecting Luzon and Visayas.

Forecast:

Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the province of Benguet, Batanes and Babuyan

Group of Islands will experience monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Visayas, the

rest of Luzon and the regions of Caraga and Davao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers

and thunderstorms. The rest of Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or

thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago and the

coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Metro Manila

23C to 28C

Moderate to Strong

Soutwest

Manila Bay:

Moderate to Rough

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4/15

Army troops seize roadside bomb in Maguindanao town

From the Philippine Star (Aug 20):

Army explosives experts prevented on Monday what could have been another deadly bombing inCentral Mindanao by promptly defusing a roadside bomb along a stretch of a highway in SultanKudarat town.

Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Armys 6th Infantry Division, said the improvisedexplosive device (IED) recovered by responding bomb experts wasfashioned from live 60MMmortar projectiles rigged with a blasting mechanism attached to a Nokia mobile phone.

The IED, planted at one side of a secluded stretch of the Cotabato-Davao Highway in BarangayLadia in Sultan Kudarat, was first discovered by villagers, who, in turn reported what they found tosoldiers manning an Army detachment nearby.

It was just fortunate that the people who found the bomb were so vigilant that they promptlyinformed authorities about the presence of an IED along the highway, Hermoso said.

Hermoso said the disassembled IED was identical with the bombs used by the Bangsamoro IslamicFreedom Fighters (BIFF) in recent roadside bombings in Maguindanao, including at least fourattempts to blow up two adjoining bridges in Datu Piang town in the second district of the province.

It was the first ever attempt to pull off a roadside bombing in Sultan Kudarat, located in the firstdistrict of the province and host to Camp Darapanan, the largest enclave of the Moro IslamicLiberation Front.

The founder of BIFF, the renegade Saudi-trained cleric Ameril Umbra Kato, started as chief of the

MILFs 105th Base Command, but was booted out in 2010 forinsubordination and other offenses.

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5/15

Capitol Lauds Armys Peace Advocacy

Negros Daily Bulletin/Editha Colmo

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental in its Wednesday session, resolved tocommend the Armys Advanced Command Post, 303rd Infantry Brigade, for adopting a peace

advocacy as a paradigm shift on political orientation favoring compromise to avoid conflict.

The Resolution No. 0177 series of 2013 commended the 303rd Infantry (Brown Eagle) Brigade andthe 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion of the Philippine Army for initiating the 15-day HumanitarianMedical Civic Action (CIVAC) and sustainable peace crusade dubbed "Marching for Peace, Servingthe Countryside" under the command of Col. Jon N. Aying and Lt. Col. Efren Morados.

This commendation resulted from the 15-day caravan held in six (6) underprivileged andunderdeveloped barangays (namely Brgy. Paitan, Bandila, Pinapugasan, Bug-ang, Malatas andMalasibog) of Escalante City, Toboso and Calatrava were recipients of various humanitarianservices spearheaded by the Provincial Peace, Integration and Development Unit (ProPIDU)together with the participation of the provincial government units, local government units, non-

government units and agencies, the media, individual peace advocates and volunteers.Simultaneous was the walk-through of about 120 kms by the marching group from the Army andPNP personnel with the Army Reservists around the barangays mentioned.

Excerpt of the Resolution states... one of the strategies adopted by the 303rd Infantry Brigade and62nd Infantry battalion of the Philippine Army is the sustainable peace advocacy through animproved police-community relation to encourage citizens maximum participation as key partnersfor peace-building and conflict prevention. The Philippine Army underscored the importance ofmulti-stakeholders approach in resolving armed conflict and promoting peace by bringing progressdirectly to the people and uplifting their quality of living through community immersion activities.Thus, the said project has received positive views from the civilian sectors in and out of Negros

Occidental for the "Bayanihan" effort worthy of emulation.The Resolution of Commendation was awarded by SP member Rolando Ponsica, chairman onpeace and order committee, to Col. John Aying, commanding officer, 303rd Infantry Brigade, duringthe first ProPIDU Planning Workshop for the Phase II of the Winning the Peace in the 1st District ofNegros Occidental Project, dubbed as "Serving the Countryside, Working with the People" fromAugust to December 2013.

Aying said the 15-day caravan was made possible because of the unselfish services rendered by allparticipants during the course of the project in the 1st District of NOC.

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6/15

Army reduces NPA strength

Visayan Daily Star/By Gilbert Bayoran

The Armys 302nd Infantry Brigade is running against time to accomplish its mission to clear NegrosOriental of remaining armed insurgents by yearend.

With barely four months before 2013 ends, Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigadecommander, yesterday admitted that it is a tall order for him to accomplish, although not a remotepossibility.

However, he said their task is now a work in progress.

Five hinterland barangays in San Jose, Amlan, Sibulan and Valencia, all in Negros Oriental, wererecently declared insurgency-free and development-ready by the Armys 302nd Infantry Brigade.

Patrimonio said their combined barangay immersion activities, which aims to deny the NewPeoples Army ofareas to seek shelter, and combat operations, led to the reduction of NPA from itspeak of about 160 armed regulars in previous years to 102 this year.

It shows a reduction of their forces by one-third, he added.

There are still 79 barangays in southeast Negros Oriental and central Negros, aside from the 20 inthe Negros Occidental side, classified either as infiltrated, or under the influence of the NPA, militaryrecords show.

But the additional forces augmenting the 302nd Infantry Brigade, Patrimonio said, will help a lot inthe accomplishment of their tasks.

He said they are now focusing their efforts on Negros Oriental, before shifting to the Occidentalside.

The 302nd Infantry Brigade has been tasked to dismantle the Larangan Gerilya 1 in central Negrosand the Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas in southeast Negros.

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7/15

Benigno Aquino assassination: Emotion doesnt wane with each retelling

ByThelma Sioson San JuanPhilippine Daily Inquirer

It was 1983, past midnight in Boston. He sat before the television, watching CNN.

I cant even remember the face of the announcer who mispronounced myfathers name. He said,

opposition leader Benigno Akwino was seen lying in a pool of blood, shots were fired. If I dont recall

exactly how it was (said) then, it wasnt because nag-blur. Para talagang huminto everything (It was as if

everything stopped)I was neither in time nor space. I guess that was shock

Thirty years ago, to this day, President Aquino, then 23 years old, wouldnt have thought that he would

be retelling the story of that fateful night in Boston right in Malacaang Palace, inside a room that was

only a few steps away from what was the bedroom of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, under whose

watch Aquinos father was assassinated.

The ghosts of the past must have been in the room on Monday afternoon during our exclusive interview.

But these ghosts proved helpless against the force of destiny.

We sat and talked in the room adjoining Aquinos office, behind us a big 1921 Fabian de la Rosa

painting of a bucolic scene of farm folk planting rice. A glance away through the window was the Pasig

River, incessantly in motion due to the constant downpour.

Ironic turn

This setting drove home the ironic turn Philippine contemporary history has taken. The son of Marcosarchrival now presides from the seat of power.

President Aquino continued: I was brought out of (the shock) because the phone rangI tried to reach

the phone right beside my dads bed. But it was Ate [Ballsy] who was with my mom who got the call

The Filipinos in LA (Los Angeles) got wind of it earlier than those in the East Coast.

These friends broke the news that the older Aquino had been shot upon his arrival at Manila

International Airport. The family he left behind in Bostonhis wife Cory, daughters Ballsy, Pinky, Viel,

Kris, and only son Noynoywere confused.

They said somethinglike huwag muna nating isipin, wala pang confirmed (Lets not think about it yet.

Nothing is confirmed). Medyo confusing pa ang reportThey started praying the rosary, Aquino

continued his recollection.

Promise to dad

Ako naman (what crossed my mind was) I promised my dad na pangangalagaan ko (looked after) my

mother and my sisters. I was trying to find out what I could do to reinforce their security.

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This must have been the nth time Aquino was recalling his fathers assassination and its aftermath. And

yet, still evident was a stirring of emotion in him. Even now that he is President, theres still that

indescribable expression in his eyes that always comes with the recollection of the day his father was

killed. That look in his eyes was there in 1984, as he, the only son of Ninoy and Cory, retold the episode

to us for the martial law newspaper that I was then working for. It is still there nowa very vulnerable

expression that is a mix of sadness and helplessness.

Why doesnt the emotion wane with each retelling?

Uhhthere was a time I couldnt watch the video of him being taken down from the plane. Up to now I

cant even say Im not affected by it anymore.

Then he gestured, Yung point na one of the guards touched his back to see if he was wearing a

bulletproof vestna memorize ko na yata yung (Ive memorized) facial expressions ng lahat na

sumalubong sa kaniya (of those who came to get him) knowing there was a conspiracy

He then turned technicalhis trademark penchant for details evident. Maceda (former Marcos

executive secretary-turned-senator Ernesto Maceda) told my dad, huwag kang sasama kung mga

enlisted (men) lang pinasusundo sa yo may masamang balak yan (dont go if only enlisted men cameto pick you up. That shows a sinister plan)True enoughYung technical kasi dyan may officer, pinaka

close-in directly responsible the concept of fidelity in the custody of a prisonerIn this case the

officer commanding the detail stayed on the plane, or on top of the stairway, preventing people, or

blocked (the way) Why distance yourself from your detail, unless you knew there was a plan that you

wanted somehow distanced from.

Have you resolved within yourself who had him killed?

I may sound like a broken recordwe had a dictator.everything/anything about my dad had to be

cleared with Apo (Ilocano term of respect for elders, as Marcos was called by his close circle). He set

up a system where such a thing could happen. People involved were connected to him.

He then focused on a very crucial, and what to him, was a very telling detail contained in the

Sandiganbayan report, which he had his aide brought out from his office. This voluminous sheaf of

documents must have been one of his frequent readings; that was obvious in how some lines were

highlighted in yellow.

6 a.m. Vers Palace meeting

This Sandiganbayan report is very thorough. (It detailed) there were supposed to be two plans

whether he would be allowed into the country kung dadaan ba sa tube or sa stairs (if he would be

made to take the tube or stairs).(Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian) Ver had (Aviation Security

Command Chief Luther) Custodio called here to Malacaang Park that day, Aug. 21, at 6 a.m.

(obviously to discuss that.) Ang point nun puwede naman tinawag sa telepono pero pinapunta pa sa

Malacaang Park early morning.

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(He could have phoned but he called for him to go the Palace.) It showed that they really were on top of

the situation, (that this task was) not assigned to low-level functionary. They discussed something in

very minute detailCustodio was actually Marcos pilot, not part of PSG (Presidential Security Group),

ordered to report to Malacaang Parkthe lieutenant of the Avsecom van was Vers pilot also.

Statute of limitations

When he became President, why didnt he pursue those he believed were responsible for his dads

assassination?

Theres a statute of limitations, 20 years And those convicted were pardoned by GMA.

Has he forgiven those responsible for his fathers assassination?

People have never even admitted guilt, none of them has asked for forgiveness, and may I add, none

of them has said that they suffered financial hardship at the loss of the solitary breadwinner.

The rest of our interview:

The day your father was killed, was that when you felt you had to step up to the plate, as protector of thefamily?

Earlier than that. I was 13. At Fort Magsaysay, nagpaalam nang daddy nun. (Daddy said goodbye.)

Remember he wrote an article that was published I think in Thailand. As punishment for that, he,

Senator Diokno were brought to Fort Magsaysay, loaded on separate helicopters, blindfolded,

handcuffed to their escorts. Their escorts had .45 pistols pointed at the midsection of both my dad and

Senator Dioknomy dad didnt know exactly where they were being brought. He assumed it was

Rizal

This was in 1973.all visiting privileges had been suspended. They were giving us back his stuff,

including toothbrush. My mom asked the WAC (Womens Auxiliary Corps), why? Hindi na ho niya

kailangan yan (Hewouldnt need that anymore).

As a 13-year-old I wondered, paanong hindi na niya kakailanganin (why wouldnt my dad need that

anymore)

Until we got to visit him at Magsaysay. When we got thereand this is very importantI admire the

Dioknos, theyre tougher than us. As tough as us, at the very least But I saw them step out of the

building, they were in tears. What induced them to shed tears?

Then when we saw our dad. (As you know he was) roly poly.he had no glasses, he was unshaven,no watch, no ring. He was holding on to his pants because they kept falling down. (He lost weight.) He

was so pleased to see us, very emotional

That was when he first told me, Wala naman akong ibang pagbibilinanikaw na bahala sa mommy

mo, sa mga kapatid mo (Theres no one I could entrust. You take care of your mom, your sisters)I was

just listening the whole time. Talagang shock na shock Ako nang bahala, Dad (I will take care of

them).

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10/15

US defense secretary to visit Philippines

By Jose Katigbak / The Philippine Star

WASHINGTON US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday said that next week he will visitthe Philippines, which is involved in a maritime dispute with China, during the course of a four-nation trip to Southeast Asia.Hagel will visit Kuala Lumpur from Aug. 24-26; Jakarta, Aug. 26-27; Brunei Aug. 27-29 and Manila,Aug. 29-30.

His visit to the Philippines comes amid ongoing negotiations on the increased rotational presence ofAmerican troops in the country.

In Brunei, Hagel will meet with his defense counterparts from across the Asia-Pacific region andwith ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) defense ministers at their annual retreat.

Meanwhile, Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan warned that no one shouldunderestimate Chinas determination to defend its territory, sovereignty and maritime rights andneither should anyone fantasize that China would barter away its core interests.

At a press conference in Washington on Monday after talks that both officials described asproductive, Hagel and Chang agreed to improve US-China military-to-military relations to providesecurity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Chang said since the US rebalance to Asia, joint military exercises between the US and its allieshad increased in frequency and intensity, complicating the situation in the region.

It is our hope that this rebalancing strategy is a constructive one that could help the peace andstability in the region, Chang said, adding we hope that this strategy does not target a specificcountry in the region.

Chang said the current situation in Asia-Pacific was generally stable, but there were some hot spotsand sensitive issues.

Some hot issues are heating, while some other sensitive issues are getting even more sensitive.Improper handling of these issues could lead to a severe impact on the overall security situation in

the region, he said.

Tension has risen in the region as China continues to press maritime territorial claims against itsneighbors in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

Chang said disputes should be solved through dialogue and negotiation.Nations big or small, strong or weak, should make positive and constructive efforts to promoteregional peace and stability, Chang said.

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Any action that leads to trouble or provocation, any action... (that) further complicates or magnifiesthe situation would be highly irresponsible and will not lead to a favorable result, he added.

For his part, Hagel said the United States welcomed and supported the rise of a prosperous andresponsible China that helps solve regional and global problems.

Establishing better military-to-military relations between the United States and China is important tothe overall bilateral relationship, Hagel said.

He announced he had accepted Changs invitation to visit China next year, a move that highlightscontacts between the two nations at the highest military levels.

The Asia-Pacific is a region where the interests of China and United States intertwine the most andwhere China and the US interact most frequently, Chang said.

The Peoples Liberation Army is ready to work with the US military to strengthen communication,coordination, and cooperation to contribute to the regional peace, stability, and prosperity, he

added.

In their talks, Chang said he and Hagel agreed to actively explore a notification mechanism formajor military activities and continue to study the rules of behavior on military air and maritimeactivities.

They also discussed a number of regional security issues, including North Korea, the East ChinaSea and the South China Sea and I reaffirmed longstanding US policies on these issues, Hagelsaid.

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12/15

MNLF insists on 1996 pact, bucks OIC mediation

From the Manila Standard Today (Aug 20):

The MNLF on Monday vowed not to yield to pressure from the government and rejected a third-party negotiator to step in and resolve the confusion over the 1996 final peace agreement.

TheMNLFs spokesman Absalom Cervezaissued the hardline stance after Undersecretary JoseLorena of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process said they (MNLF) need toengage us and articulate their position.

It is a very arrogant expression from the government, said Cerveza, also MNLF Peace PanelHead.

By putting closure to the 1996 final peace agreement, Cerveza said we are also closing our doorsfor any renewed peace talks. He reminded the government to review their blunders withoutblaming other parties.

The problem is that theyve overlook the entire situation, Cerveza said.

OPAP Secretary Teresita Deles disclosed that the Organization of Islamic Cooperating would becoming in to try to resolve the conflict between the government and the MNLF.

Cerveza said the OIC would not have any impact on the MNLFs position with the declaration ofIndependence byNur Misuariin Mindanao.

If the OIC wants to talk with the MNLF, we will be very courteous to receive them, Cerveza saidbut we are not going to the negotiating table. It depends on the gesture of the OIC.

Cervez rejected the integration of the MNLF agenda in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.He demanded that the MILF terms should instead be linked to the 1996 peace pact, which is whatthe OIC strongly recommended.

The basic law should instead be incorporated to the FPA of 1996 and not the other way around.Thats what has been said to me by the OIC Secretary General that they are enjoining thegovernment to include the framework which would part of the 1996 peace agreement, Cervezasaid.

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13/15

Government has not abandoned agreement with MNLF OPAPP

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 20):

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) says it remains committed to

fulfilling its obligations to the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the Moro National LiberationFront (MNLF).

OPAPP Undersecretary Jose Lorena said the Aquino government has no intention of abrogating orabandoning the FPA, and has been continuing its positive engagements with the MNLF, contrary torecent claims of its leader Nur Misuari.

Lorena said Misuari, along with his contingent, is always being invited and present in the TripartiteImplementation Review meetings and other related meetings over the past three years.

The government, MNLF, and the OIC have been engaging in a tripartite review of the

implementation of the final peace agreement since 2007. The review process is being facilitated bythe OIC-PSCP, which is chaired by Indonesia.

The Aquino administration has always engaged the MNLF since 2010 and will continue to do sounder the existing mechanism as we have conveyed to the OIC-PCSP (Organization of IslamicConference - Peace Committee for Southern Philippines), Lorena said.

As far as the GPH (Government of the Philippines) is concerned, we are not aware of any reasonfor them to claim that government has abandoned them. Our aim has always been to complete theTripartite Implementation so that we can move forward with concrete actions towards thedevelopment of MNLF communities, which we have already started, he said.

Lorena made the statement following reports that Misuari declared a Bangsamoro Republic in someparts of Mindanao.

We encourage Mr. Misuari to be a partner in ensuring the welfare of MNLF communities andactively engage with us in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law which will include the agendaof the MNLF, he said.

OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles earlier clarified that the governments main objective inpushing for the completion of the tripartite review is to start the implementation process for theconsensus points and mechanisms that the Parties have agreed on.

We have already informed the OIC through the chair and members of the [Peace Committee forSouthern Philippines chaired by Indonesia] that we think it is time to draw a conclusion to the reviewprocess, she said.

Deles likewise cited Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawas firm support for theefforts being undertaken by the GPH to ensure a comprehensive settlement of the armed conflict inSouthern Philippines.

He was categorical in stating that Indonesia opposes any attempt to jeopardize the territorialintegrity of the Philippines and that any such move falls outside the ambit of the agreed uponTripartite Review Process, Deles said.

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14/15

Sedition raps readied vs Misuari, says ARMM police chief

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 20):

Nur Mis uari FILE PHOTO

Police are readying sedition charges against founding chairman Nur Misuari of the Moro NationalLiberation Front for declaring Bangsamoro independence in Mindanao days ago.

Misuari is seen to be fomenting a Moro uprising in the region by declaring a Bangsamoroindependent state contrary to the enhanced set-up of autonomy being worked out by its breakawaygroup, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Aquino government.

I have directed my PPO (Provincial police Office) in Sulu to prepare filing a sedition case againstthe MNLF leader for issuing a seditious statement, said Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes,the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director.

He said the Sulu police director, Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, has been givenuntil Wednesday (August 21) to comply with the directive.

Delos Reyes said Orbita should look into Misuaris statement as seditious and unconstitutional at atime when the government and the MILF have started the crucial and final stage of the peacenegotiation.

If the case was filed in court, the MNLF leader could be arrested and arraigned for the charges,Delos Reyes said.

During his reign as elected ARMM governor, Misuari was nabbed by Kuala Lumpur authorities inMalaysia and presented to the Philippine government to face rebellion charges when he reportedlyled an MNLF armed assault in Sulu.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Masuhud-Alamia has appealed for understanding and sobrietyamid Misuaris call for revolt for an independent Moro state, the original cause of the MNLF struggle

in the 70s.

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Peace is paramount at thisstage of world chaos and violence, said Alamia as she cited the spateof explosions and bomb threats in Mindanao and elsewhere, notwithstanding the frequentoccurrence of natural calamities.

We are for peace and co-existence, and the best way to settle differences is through peacedialogue, not through violent means that left mostly innocent civilians as collateral damages, saidAlamia as the region celebrated Monday the United Nations World Humanitarian Day.

Misuaris group opted for autonomy instead of total independence in 1976 when he signed theTripoli Agreement in Libya with the Philippine government then headed by the dictator president,Ferdinand Marcos.

The signing of the accord prompted a faction within the MNLF to break away two years andestablishi the Moro Islamic Liberatiuo Front, headed by Maguindanaoan Salamat Hashim.

In 1996, the government under President Fidel Ramos convinced the Misuari-led MNLF to ink a`Final Peace Agreement. Misuari would later complain that the Philippine government failed to fulfill

its commitments on the establishment of the regional security force and wealth sharing.

p. 13

- End -

21 August 2013 News Clippings

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Transcript of 21 August 2013 News Clippings